Marathon Weekend 2018

[GollyGadget]

I haven't got to the good stuff yet, but I've started recapping in my journal.

Running Renaissance: 2018 WDW Marathon Training Journal.

 

[Nole95]

I've started working on a trip report. Here it is:

A Dopey Walt Disney World Marathon

 

[JBinORL]

Highlights: character photos, finishing my first (and only) Dopey, finally getting to do a runDisney event after last year's half got cancelled, running all four races with my wife, enjoying beers with random people post-race in the parking lot.

Lows: the cold, long stretches of boring road, the cold, long stretches of narrow roads/pathways (I'm looking at you, WWOS), the cold, going from too cold to too warm during the full

I'll definitely do more runDisney events (we are doing W&D this year since it's free entry, and likely Dark Side as well) but waking up four days in a row at 2AM is for the birds.

 

[Simba's Girl]

My Marathon weekend comments....

First off I want to say that I sucked at making the Dismeets partly because our family was just having so much fun and also because when DD & I got to the 10K it was overwhelming in a spectacular way (I also forgot where the meet spot was-HA!)

Expo-we went on Thursday and had ZERO of the problems encountered on Wednesday. We were in and out in no time, waited in no lines at all. Marathon finisher jacket that DH wanted was sold out but he ended up grabbing one at disney.com later. Thankful for the outside vendors as I had forgotten to pack our Stick.

10K-I was very underprepared for what waiting in frigid temperatures for 2hrs will do to a middle aged body's muscles. I was very flippant about the temps beforehand because I run in cold temps all the time, I had not considered the waiting beforehand-next time I'll be more aware! DD & I only threw away our throw-away tops and wore 2-3 pair of pants through the race. I took it very easy for the race as my injured leg was still injured and I wanted to soak in the experience of it all. I ended up finishing 10minutes later than my training 10Ks were. I'm good with that. This was DD (11)'s first 10K. She ended up coming in 23rd in her age group (10-13yo females) out of 158 or so and finished at my usual 10K time. She was a smart cookie and met me at the finish. She also had fun and the pictures of her running as Anger are making my heart melt.

Marathon-DH enjoyed it. I enjoyed spectating (My sign was about the hungry demogorgons-did anyone see me?), 2 of my DDs and I took a Minnie Van to AK to see DH-super convenient.

What I didn't like: Waking up at 2:30am! There is NO way I'd ever do Dopey because of that wake up time 4 days in a row. Also, the temps-can't really control that though.

What impressed me: The amount of organization that went into this event. (Again, we experienced NO problems at the Expo) It was by far the most well-run event I've participated in.

DH & I are tentatively planning to do the 1/2 at Marathon weekend next year (It'd be my 1st 1/2) we had such a fun time!

 

[PCFriar80]

My Marathon weekend comments....

First off I want to say that I sucked at making the Dismeets partly because our family was just having so much fun and also because when DD & I got to the 10K it was overwhelming in a spectacular way (I also forgot where the meet spot was-HA!)

Expo-we went on Thursday and had ZERO of the problems encountered on Wednesday. We were in and out in no time, waited in no lines at all. Marathon finisher jacket that DH wanted was sold out but he ended up grabbing one at disney.com later. Thankful for the outside vendors as I had forgotten to pack our Stick.

10K-I was very underprepared for what waiting in frigid temperatures for 2hrs will do to a middle aged body's muscles. I was very flippant about the temps beforehand because I run in cold temps all the time, I had not considered the waiting beforehand-next time I'll be more aware! DD & I only threw away our throw-away tops and wore 2-3 pair of pants through the race. I took it very easy for the race as my injured leg was still injured and I wanted to soak in the experience of it all. I ended up finishing 10minutes later than my training 10Ks were. I'm good with that. This was DD (11)'s first 10K. She ended up coming in 23rd in her age group (10-13yo females) out of 158 or so and finished at my usual 10K time. She was a smart cookie and met me at the finish. She also had fun and the pictures of her running as Anger are making my heart melt.

Marathon-DH enjoyed it. I enjoyed spectating (My sign was about the hungry demogorgons-did anyone see me?), 2 of my DDs and I took a Minnie Van to AK to see DH-super convenient.

What I didn't like: Waking up at 2:30am! There is NO way I'd ever do Dopey because of that wake up time 4 days in a row. Also, the temps-can't really control that though.

What impressed me: The amount of organization that went into this event. (Again, we experienced NO problems at the Expo) It was by far the most well-run event I've participated in.

DH & I are tentatively planning to do the 1/2 at Marathon weekend next year (It'd be my 1st 1/2) we had such a fun time!

Good recap! We'll be back for another go at the 1/2 and 10K! We'll see you there!

 

[FFigawi]

I'll definitely do more runDisney events (we are doing W&D this year since it's free entry, and likely Dark Side as well) but waking up four days in a row at 2AM is for the birds.

My Marathon weekend comments....

What I didn't like: Waking up at 2:30am! There is NO way I'd ever do Dopey because of that wake up time 4 days in a row. Also, the temps-can't really control that though.

It's not absolutely necessary to be up at 2am. You can get up much later and still make the race on time. True, you miss out on the character photo opportunities before heading into your corral, but you also miss out on extra time spent listening to Carissa. @Keels calls that a better than even trade.

 

[rteetz]

Got the follow up email from runDisney. No offer to register for next year this time around.

 

[ANIM8R]

Got the follow up email from runDisney. No offer to register for next year this time around.

There's a link to merchandise including Finisher jackets and the baseball caps mentioned earlier in this thread.
(I'm still out the 5K medal pin, the Magic Band, and the Alex & Ani bracelet for my wife though)

 

[Poutine]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but one thing that really annoyed me during the marathon was the announcer at about mile 19. He just kept going on about how much it sucks right there in the race, and you're not even close, don't you hate when people tell you you're almost there when you're not? Well I'm here to tell you, you're not almost there, and everything hurts, etc. etc. It really took the wind out of my sails emotionally. Who wants that at that point in the race? I get that he was meaning to be funny but come on. A lot of people are really hurting right there and could use some pumped-up music and encouragement. I'm still thinking about it this many days later and have half a mind to send an email.

I actually liked that part. The sarcasm was thick and refreshing amongst all the feel-good type talk. I'd prefer to listen to that an entire race than cheering "you're almost there". Also saying the balloons were at mile 12 when I passed him and him saying just how slow their pace really is was great. Then he started talking about where to drink in Epcot. The guy basically matched my personality and how I view things, harsh truth is better than warm fuzzies (unless those fuzzies are critters I can pet)

 

[JBinORL]

It's not absolutely necessary to be up at 2am. You can get up much later and still make the race on time. True, you miss out on the character photo opportunities before heading into your corral, but you also miss out on extra time spent listening to Carissa. @Keels calls that a better than even trade.

I was being a bit facetious, but we woke up at 3AM for the 5k and 10k, and 2AM for the half/full because we were driving over from our resort (yes, we are locals....who stayed at a resort....and still drove). It was fine, just a bit tired each day. Of course, when it was time to go to sleep, I couldn't....

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Got the follow up email from runDisney. No offer to register for next year this time around.

Probably not going to do that after the Star Wars nightmare. They had my money for 9 months for nothing!

 

[DISRNR1000]

I liked whatever announcer was at wide world of sports. First off he was funny and entertaining. For example, how many of you this is your first marathon? Then how many of you this is your last marathon? Then he also told us where the balloon ladies were and I think he said if we can get to boardwalk we are safe. From then on my goal was to get to mile 22 before the balloon ladies got to mile 20.

Also something else I noticed when I was coming out of the Magic Kingdom probably around mile 6 1/2 there was a staff member they’re saying we are such and such distance ahead of the balloon ladies and they were entering the Magic Kingdom. Everyone around me including myself was surprised by this announcement since we probably had at least a 15 to 20 minute Headstart on the balloon ladies just by corral placement. And I know at that point I was running at least two minutes ahead of the balloon lady‘s pace. So as long as I kept up my pace I would be well ahead of the balloon ladies and it wouldn’t be any concern. I just thought it was alarming to start hearing about the balloons this early on in the race. That’s never happened to me before! Maybe they just were worried about a lot of pictures stops and people losing track of that time?

 

[KSellers88]

My race recap is done on my training journal...I "only" did the marathon though so no Dopey excitement. LOL. Cannot wait to read those!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/v...sellers88’s-journal-comments-welcome.3653653/

 

[FFigawi]

I was being a bit facetious, but we woke up at 3AM for the 5k and 10k, and 2AM for the half/full because we were driving over from our resort (yes, we are locals....who stayed at a resort....and still drove). It was fine, just a bit tired each day. Of course, when it was time to go to sleep, I couldn't....

We drove over too. Easiest way to get there. Up at 345, out the door at 420, in the lot by 445.

 

[lahobbs4]

So, I missed this year but ran the marathon last year and the Wine and Dine this year. Being my only runDisney experiences, I was surprised that they don't have Disney music playing! Especially on the course! Any chance that happened at marathon weekend? I don't know about you, but I would much rather hear some Moana soundtrack or classic Disney tunes instead of YMCA and the like...

 

[JBinORL]

Yeah there was Disney music playing at different points of the course. They had large video monitors playing snippets from movies with music, and especially in the World Showcase they had different songs playing (at least on Thursday and Friday). Can't remember for the half/full because I was exhausted.

 

[jack'smom]

I bought a Dopey sweatyband headband at the expo but apparently it did not make it into my bag. I didn’t notice it until after the marathon and I emailed Merchandise guest services. They offered a refund but I was told they are sold out. Anyone see any by chance? Hoping they’ll turn up at the Disney store online...

 

[Mickey Momma]

Got the follow up email from runDisney. No offer to register for next year this time around.

I am still not getting RunDisney e-mails with any consistency. The last one I received was a “Winter Strides” e-mail in December. I called to see what was up before race weekend and was told RunDisney “isn’t really sending out e-mails anymore.”

 

[dta87]

Some random observations a week removed from an excellent and overall very successful and enjoyable weekend

1. RunDisney withdrawal is real! It is not near as bad as Disney Cruise withdrawal for me but I am constantly checking the boards for updates just to prolong/relive the weekend.

2. I am sure I was fighting a bug during the week and was in complete denial. Waking up with the alarm at 2:30 in a pool of sweat as well as getting random chills during the day is probably something I should have addressed. During the runs, I thought it was the layering that was causing the profuse sweating but in hindsight I am sure it was a bug (not near as bad as a few runners here experienced) but there is no way I should have been that soaked running at that level of effort in those temperatures.

3. I do not remember there being that many water stops. It seemed like everytime I turned a corner I was coming up on another water station which was great since I took 2 cups at each stop. Random thought/TMI: during the 2013 Marathon and 2015 Dopey I HAD to make multiple rest stops (with the same hydration plan) and during this years races there was never a time that it was absolutely necessary to stop, further evidence that I was losing most of my liquids through (sick) sweat.

4. For some reason the Osceola Pkwy and WWoS did not seem near as long/boring this year and it was exciting to hear the DJ around mile 19 say that the balloon ladies were 11 miles behind me and there was nothing to worry about.

5. The ramp onto World Drive seemed a lot higher than I remember (new construction?) and took a lot of self-motivation to not give up my secondary goal (I had already missed my primary) and just walk it in from there.

6. The Expo was crazy but I avoided most of the issues by getting there at 1115. I was expecting the traffic to be bad but we got in a parked pretty easily. We got in line at the HP Center right before they split the line into a merch and bib line so we were able to divide and conquer with my wife going in the merch line and me staying to pick up my bibs. When I finished with the bibs I went outside and downstairs directly into the merch area, no outside line at that point. My wife had pulled everything we were interested in and we pretty much got straight into the purchase line from there. By the time we left, a little before 1, the official merch area had reached capacity and the line was growing outside. Since we skipped it to get some lunch, I came back at 4 to go to the vendor expo and saw that the line to get into the official merch area was significantly longer than it was at 1 which surprised me.

 

[disneygirlsng]

So, I missed this year but ran the marathon last year and the Wine and Dine this year. Being my only runDisney experiences, I was surprised that they don't have Disney music playing! Especially on the course! Any chance that happened at marathon weekend? I don't know about you, but I would much rather hear some Moana soundtrack or classic Disney tunes instead of YMCA and the like...

Yes, there was lots of Disney music playing! Also lots of non-Disney as well. One thing I noticed that I did not notice the last time I ran in 2015, was that most (all?) of the mile markers were playing music from the movie pictured on the sign. I thought that was a very nice touch. I also didn't remember there being the huge screens playing clips from movies, or at least as many of them as there were this year.